Not long after Shu Feng and his companion had settled in, the doorbell rang.

"Hello, I’m an investigator with the White Eagle Sword! Please open the door!"

A magnetic voice drifted in from outside.

A solemn look flashed across Shu Feng’s eyes. "The White Eagle Sword?"

The White Eagle Sword was the official Spiritualist organization of the Brentania Republic. Its ranks teemed with masters and powerhouses, and it was even guarded by experts of the Spirit Saint Realm.

When Shu Feng opened the door, he saw a group of experts standing outside. They wore pure white, form-fitting Combat Suits with a white eagle emblazoned on the chest—the uniform of the White Eagle Sword.

Leading the group of White Eagle Sword experts was a stunningly beautiful, mixed-race woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and exquisitely delicate features that blended Eastern and Western beauty. Her skin was as flawless as jade, and she possessed an incredibly curvaceous figure.

The stunning, mixed-race beauty said icily, "I am Andrea of the White Eagle Sword. Mr. Shu Feng, what is your purpose for visiting Outland Town?"

Shu Feng asked, slightly surprised, "You know who I am?"

A handsome, blond-haired man with a rather flippant air, Moaido, offered a slight smile. "Shu Feng, you’re quite famous in the world of Spiritualists. After all, there are only a hundred people in the entire world who can rank in the top one hundred on the Void Demon Hunting List."

Shu Feng said, "I came to Outland Town to explore the ruins of the Ancient Xiyi Civilization, and perhaps purchase some of its artifacts along the way."

Andrea said icily, "The Ancient Xiyi Civilization Ruins have been sealed off. No one is permitted entry. Mr. Shu Feng, please leave Outland Town. The White Eagle Sword will reimburse you for double the cost of your trip."

Shu Feng said calmly, "If I recall correctly, this is the Aaron Republic, not your Brentania Republic. What authority do you have to expel me?"

Moaido chuckled. "The Aaron Republic is within the Brentania Republic’s sphere of influence. If you insist, the Aaron Republic can quickly issue you a legally binding letter of expulsion."

Shu Feng smiled faintly. "In that case, I’ll leave after the letter of expulsion arrives. Now, please leave."

"Let’s go."

Andrea said icily, giving Shu Feng a long, hard look.

After Shu Feng’s return from the Void Demon Hunting Ground, his name had become known to all the top Spiritualist organizations. The White Eagle Sword knew he was a Heaven-level Spirit Ability User whose terrifying power was comparable to the Grandmaster Level. Unless absolutely necessary, no one was willing to make an enemy of him.

Shu Feng said calmly, "Come on out. If you don’t show yourself, I’ll consider you an enemy."

"As expected of the Patriarch of the Yuanhai Shu Family. Your reputation is truly well-deserved."

An admiring voice echoed from an oil painting on the wall. A figure squeezed out of the canvas, inch by inch, solidifying into a very ordinary-looking, middle-aged man of average build.

The middle-aged man smiled faintly. "I am called Painter, one of the thirteen Elders of the Divine Research Association. It is a pleasure to meet you, Patriarch Shu."

Painter snapped his fingers. Chen Xue, who had been standing quietly to the side, immediately collapsed onto the sofa, unconscious.

Shu Feng asked, "Why have you come to see me?"

"I’ve come to invite you to join our Divine Research Association. Across all the worlds, the most powerful beings in existence are the Divine Spirits. Only experts at the Divine Spirit Level can contend with the great powers among the Void Demons."

"While our Blue Star is protected by numerous Spirit Saints, those Spirit Saints are ultimately no match for Divine Spirits. Without achieving divinity, Blue Star will one day fall into the hands of the Void Demons."

"I know you have a poor opinion of our Divine Research Association because of what happened with Princess Hassina of the Leiyin Republic. However, with your current status, no one would dare move against Princess Hassina if you were to join us."

"Furthermore, by joining the Divine Research Association, you will also gain the support of other allies," Painter said.

Shu Feng asked, "If I were to join the Divine Research Association, what would my position be?"

"The Divine Research Association is a loose alliance, comprised of an Association Leader, two Vice Association Leaders, and thirteen Elders. If you were to join, you would become the fourteenth Elder."

"However, if you wish to obtain assistance from other Elders, or access research data and resources on Divine Spirits, you must contribute to the association. All exchanges are made using Contribution Points." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Members are forbidden from killing one another without just cause."

"Not even the Association Leader or the Vice Association Leaders can order you to do anything against your will. Of course, you will not be asked to do anything without compensation, either."

"The addition of a new Elder requires a joint vote by the Association Leader and the other Elders. A more than two-thirds majority is required to induct a new member. Patriarch Shu, you are an exceptional individual with boundless potential, so everyone has already agreed to let you join the Divine Research Association," Painter explained.

Shu Feng’s expression grew thoughtful. ’I see. So the Divine Research Association is essentially a loose alliance formed by sixteen powerful factions. The primary function of this alliance is the mutual exchange of resources and intelligence.’

Shu Feng asked, "What are the restrictions for leaving the Divine Research Association?"

Painter replied, "You cannot leak any of the association’s intelligence. If you violate this one rule, the Association Leader and all the Elders will hunt you down at any cost. Other than that, there are no restrictions."

After weighing his options for a moment, Shu Feng said, "Alright. I’ll join the Divine Research Association."

Shu Feng was extremely curious about Divine Spirits. He also planned to ascend to the Divine Spirit level in the future, and joining the Divine Research Association would provide another channel for obtaining information about them.

"This is your identification card. Once you accept it, you’re one of us."

With a wave of his hand, Painter sent what looked like an ordinary bank card flying into Shu Feng’s grasp.

The moment Shu Feng took the card, a stream of mysterious information flowed from it, letting him know that by placing it on top of a computer tower, he could access the Divine Research Association’s network even without an internet connection.

Painter asked, "Do you know why Andrea from the White Eagle Sword was so insistent that you leave Outland Town?"

Shu Feng replied calmly, "I didn’t at first. But the moment you appeared, I figured it out. It must be related to a Divine Spirit."

"Correct," said Painter. "According to reliable intelligence, the newly excavated Ancient Xiyi Civilization Ruins are connected to the legendary West Asian God. That’s why the White Eagle Sword started sealing off the roads and driving people away."

Shu Feng asked curiously, "If this incident is truly related to a Divine Spirit, how can the Spirit Saints just sit back and do nothing?"

The Spirit Saints of Blue Star were already at the apex of their world. What they desired most was to take that final step and ascend to the Divine Spirit level.